Five File For Boca Election

February 13, 1991|By ELAINE A. ELLIS, Staff Writer

What might have been a bland election season in Boca Raton became a hot contest when five people stepped forward to challenge the incumbents on Tuesday -- the last day candidates could qualify for the March 12 election.

In Delray Beach, it appeared there would not even be an election. That is, until Rosalind Murray officially tossed her hat into the ring on Tuesday to run against Commissioner Bill Andrews.

And in Boynton Beach, the traditional antagonisms continue unabated even though vocal Mayor Gene Moore decided not to seek re-election.

Three people -- Lee Wische, Arline Weiner and David Fleoring -- will vie for the mayor`s position, and each of the three open commission seats will be contested.

In the waning hours of the filing period in Boca Raton, two candidates -- John Ingalls and Bill Burson -- joined Cormac Conahan in his challenge of Mayor Emil Danciu.

Burson, regional director for Southern Bell, is retiring from the company at the end of April. ``I have thought for some time about running for some office,`` said Burson. ``I thought this would be a good opportunity, since I`m retiring.``

Ingalls, who has often spoken out against the Community Redevelopment Agency`s Mizner Park project, could not be reached for comment.

Conahan is a lawyer and a former council member.

Incumbent Boca Raton council members Steven Abrams and Bill Smith will face challengers William Merchant, Ron Fedore and William Archer Jr. in the race for the two open council seats.

Fedore, who ran for the council in 1989, said he decided to run again because he did not think the incumbents should run unopposed.

``I basically feel the council as a whole has given a lackluster performance,`` Fedore said.

Merchant, who was often at the forefront of the ultimately successful battle to disband the CRA, said he entered the race because he is concerned about how the council will take over the agency`s duties.

Archer, who with his father developed Royal Palm Plaza, served on the council from 1971 to 1974. He sold the plaza in 1976.

``I think I can add some fiscal abilities to the council,`` Archer said. ``Mizner Park is beautiful. But I think it is going to be real cross to bear for the taxpayers.``

In Delray Beach, the lone challenger, Murray, 32, is Palm Beach County`s coordinator for minority and women business enterprise. Last year, she unsuccessfully submitted her name to fill the unexpired term of former City Commissioner Mary McCarty, who won her bid for Palm Beach County commissioner.

Now that Andrews, 45, has an opponent, he is going to start campaigning, he said.

``It means reminding the citizens of my record,`` Andrews said. ``I`ve got a track record I am more than proud of; I`ll put it up next to any commissioner in the county.``

In Boynton Beach, besides the mayor`s contest, there will be a race for each commission seat open.

In District 1, Marvin Greenhut, Ed Harmening and William Cwynar will be on the ballot. The District 3 contest will be between Jose Aguila, Robert Zimmerman and Norman Gregory. And in District 4, Commissioner Denys ``Sam`` DeLong will face Lynne Matson.

A list of council and commission seats up for election in south and central Palm Beach County, along with length of terms and candidates who have filed to run for those seats. Unless otherwise noted, the election will be on March 12. Filing in most cities ended at noon on Tuesday. New listings are in bold: